Brooklyn based rapper and hip-hop producer El-P teamed up with Georgia MC Killer Mike for their collaborative Run the Jewels album and tour, which stopped at Union Transfer on Monday night. Check out scenes from the show in the photo gallery below.

Alternative hip hop pioneer El-P is coming to Union Transfer tonight with his current collaborator Killer Mike. Boasting a unique sound of old-school hip hop aesthetics with contemporary electro-rock progressions, El-P joined forces with Killer Mike after delcaring his label Def Jux to be “on hiatus” and quietly focusing on his own music for 2 years. With the release of their most recent full length album, Run the Jewels, this past June, El-P and Killer Mike on tour this summer. Find tickets and more information about tonight’s show here. Check out the video for “36” Chain” off of Run the Jewels below.

Run The Jewels is the year’s best hip-hop collaboration between two artists who, on their own, have made excellent contributions to the genre. Brooklyn rapper and producer El-P has been a leading force in the alternative hip-hop world, and founded the Definitive Jux record label. He’s released a number of important records including 2002’s Fantastic Damage and 2007’s I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead. Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, as associate of Outkast, debuted in 2003 with the excellent Monster and released one of 2012’s best hip-hop albums, R.A.P. Music, which was produced by El-P.

The collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P has continued with their new project, Run The Jewels which was released as a free download by Fool’s Gold Records in June (download it below). The ten song collection features contributions from Prince Paul and Big Boi but throughout the album Mike and El-P rule the rap roost with it’s breathless, intense and fiery rap flows, non-stop hard grooves, and an array of sonic creativity. Run The Jewels is “all killer, no filler.” There’s no skits, no instrumental interludes, just excellent songs like “Sea Legs,” “DDFH,” “No Come Down,” and “Get It,” one of the year’s best hip-hop songs. Killer Mike and El-P perform at Union Transfer on Monday, August 12. Go here for tickets and more information. Despot and Kool A.D. (formerly Das Racsist) open.

Hip hop artists / rappers EL-P and Killer Mike have formed a collaborative partnership as Run the Jewels, recording an album and going on tour this summer. The Fool’s Gold duo have shared the first single, called “Get It,” from their self-titled effort as a free download on the label’s Soundcloud. In fact, the entire album will be free when it is released this June.

“Run the Jewels” isn’t the first time EL-P and Killer Mike have worked together: Killer Mike’s 2012 record R.A.P. Music was produced by EL-P and EL-P called in Killer Mike to drop some lines on his Cancer for Cure LP.

Tickets for the show at Union Transfer with Despot and Kool AD go on sale Friday, May 3rd at noon. More information will be available here. Stream and download “Get It” below.

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Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH